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Finding Gold: Carter, redshirt freshman, coming on at the right time for 49ers' women
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2009 NCAA TOURNAMENT
Published: March 19, 2009
Brittany Carter says that it has been worth the wait.
Carter, a former Forsyth Country Day star who sat out last season because of a concussion, played a key role in helping UNC Charlotte land its first automatic bid to the NCAA Women's Tournament.
She scored in double figures for the 49ers for the first time in a victory over Duquesne in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 Tournament. She followed with a second-straight 10-point game in a semifinal win over second-seeded Temple.
"I really don't look to score that much," said Carter, a redshirt freshman from Yadkinville. "But it was tournament time. I guess I just woke up."
The 49ers went on to win their first Atlantic 10 title with a victory over Richmond. UNCC will open NCAA play at 2:30 Saturday, taking on Purdue in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Coach Karen Aston said that Carter -- a 6-0 forward who can guard shooting guards, wing forwards or post players -- is developing into a more complete player.
"She's basically a freshman this year," Aston said. "She redshirted last year due to some injury issues, and this has been her first year to go through a full year of practice and get significant game experience.
"She's getting comfortable. It clicks at certain times for kids, and I think the last month you could tell she was coming on and understanding what was necessary."
It didn't come overnight.
Carter's chance to make a more immediate impact came to a halt after the third game last season, when she took an elbow to the head in practice that left her with a concussion.
"It was a pretty severe one, and it put me out for the season," Carter said. "I had a couple of concussions in high school, so my doctor thought it was best that I sit out the rest of the year.
"It was very tough. Since I began playing basketball, I had never had to sit out that long."
Carter, who didn't resume practice until after last season ended, said that there was some benefit.
"I learned to have a lot of patience," she said.
Carter felt she would have a role this season but faced more uncertainty after suffering another concussion when she collided with a teammate during a preseason scrimmage against Appalachian State.
Fortunately for Carter, this one wasn't as severe, and she missed only three games.
Aston said that Carter has progressed nicely, and her role has expanded since a productive game Jan. 24 against Dayton.
"She had significant minutes in that game, and when I say significant, I'm talking about what she did with her minutes," Aston said. "From that point on, she has given us quality time.
"Brittany always plays hard. She's always competitive. And she now understands and grasps game preparation better, and I feel more comfortable putting her in.
"She plays with an incredible amount of energy. She doesn't play with any fear. She gives us a different dynamic on the defensive end, and she rebounds well. She has a unique energy about her. She makes things happen."
Carter said that she's beginning to feel like a veteran, and an upside is that she has three more seasons remaining.
"I'm getting more and more comfortable," Carter said.
"This season has turned out great. I came from a winning high-school program, but we never won a championship in high school. I never got to cut down the nets. So (the Atlantic 10 championship) was an amazing experience. And I hear the NCAA Tournament is great."
■ Tommy Bowman can be reached at 727-7320 or at tbowman@wsjournal.com.
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